IT was 12 months on Wednesday since the closure of the Millicent and District Community Club.
The doors closed on the debt-laden facility after almost 54 years of continuous trading.
The public was informed of the management committee’s decision to place the enterprise into voluntary administration via a sign placed at 11.30am on September 4, 2018 on the Davenport Street building’s front entrance.
About 30 minutes earlier, the management committee members had met for the final time at the premises.
The closure notice was accompanied by a letter from management committee chairman Matt Hann who held the role since 2011.
Mr Hann cited trading difficulties for the decision as well as debt levels and rising costs.
Since then, the affairs of the Community Club have been controlled by Adelaide-based KPMG insolvency specialist David Kidman.
Wattle Range Council is the major creditor and is owed well over $200,000 in rates and outstanding loans.
As is customary in such circumstances, council continues to meet the maintenance costs of the building such as insurance and lighting.
The premises was listed for sale several months ago with a Mount Gambier firm for a GST-exclusive price of $450,000.
Mr Hann said the former management committee had not met for the past 12 months and had no input into the club’s affairs.
He said his committee had not heard from Mr Kidman.
“We thought it was going to happen that way,” Mr Hann said,
“Since its closure, people have told me that it was sad to see the closure of the Community Club.
“They said they should have used it more when it was open.
“I think the Community Club had done its time.
“I hope someone takes the building on and does something with it.
“I do not want to see it deteriorate.”
Mr Hann said he was hopeful the honour boards from the front entrance could be displayed at the Millicent National Trust Museum.
The boards list the presidents, life members and foundation members from 1964.
